Blog Archives
Tips & Tricks for Hiking the Rees-Dart Track
Whilst everyone back home in the UK tucked into Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, we found ourselves in a mountain hut on the Rees-Dart track in the Mount Aspiring National Park, eating uninspiring rehydrated packet meals, surrounded by a bunch of like-minded strangers. Despite this, it turned out to be an idyllic Christmas –…
A Review of Mortimer Camping & Picnic Area
Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD, Mortimer Picnic Camping Ground offers that rare mix of convenience combined with true off-the-grid vibes. It’s hard to believe something so close to the city can have that ‘oh-so-far-away’ feeling. I stumbled across this campground entirely by accident too. After a hectic week at work, I was…
A Magical Night Skiing at Mt. Moiwa, Sapporo
Considering it usually takes us around five hours to drive to the snow from Melbourne in the Australian winter, it’s mind-boggling to me that in Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido, Japan, you can literally ski a mountain in only a 30 minute drive. Mt Moiwa (藻岩山, Moiwayama) is located to the southwest of Sapporo,…
Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail: A Bikepacking Weekend!
After a successful (and super fun!) first adventure bikepacking from Wangaratta to Bright on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, it was time to hit the road again with another easy bikepacking trip. After a little thought, we realised that there was a weekend-worthy rail trail even closer (and easier) to access than Wang from…
Wildlife at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve – The Last Rainforest In Singapore
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is Singapore’s last patch of primary rainforest, a 163-hectare oasis a mere 12km from the bustling city centre. When it was first accessed by British colonialists in 1827, it took them many hours to hack and climb their way through miles of thick jungle and swamp, to the modest 163m summit…
Underrated Day Walks 1 Hour from Melbourne (or Less!)
As much as I love Melbourne, I always had one big bone to pick with it: you have to drive a couple of hours outside of the CBD to access some of the area’s best hiking spots. Or so I thought. Being from North Yorkshire in England, where I can walk out of my front…
Bikepacking Wangaratta to Bright on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
“STOP!!” I scream, giving my friend Angie such a fright she shrieks and swerves her bike, avoiding crashing into me by mere millimetres. Considering we’re only five minutes into a two day trip bikepacking Wangaratta to Bright via the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, stopping so soon doesn’t appear to be a great start. Oh,…
A Guide to a Delightful Weekend in Old-World Walhalla
The moment I arrived into Walhalla through the winding mountainside roads, thick with native forest, I was stunned. It was simply gorgeous. Why the hell hadn’t I visited (or even heard of!) this stunning time-capsule mountain town earlier?! I constantly seek out unique places in Victoria, and Walhalla is probably one of the most quirky…
8 Incredible Outdoor Activities in Vietnam you Must Do!
Chaotic motorbike-filled streets, a maze of bustling night markets, steaming bowls of pho eaten beside the road on small plastic chairs: these experiences epitomise visiting vibrant Vietnam. But combined with natural landscapes that look almost like something out of the Avatar world, Vietnam offers travellers not only a vibrant culture, but an abundance of adventurous…
Is Pulau Ubin Safe to Visit Solo?
Nestled in the northeast of Singapore, Pulau Ubin island lured me in with the promise of tranquillity and rustic natural beauty. Away from the bright city lights and bustling lifestyle, this small island offers an idyllic wildlife-filled escape, right on Singapore’s doorstep. Approximately 10.19 square kilometres in size, the lush island of Pulau Ubin is…
Forget Tokyo: Here are 5 Underrated Places in Central Japan to Visit Instead
Tokyo is a city where the future seems to arrive before the present. A dazzling metropolis where its wild nightlife, cutting-edge fashion districts, quirky technology and culinary delights serve as the epicentre of modern Japan. But Tokyo’s urban dynamism, while undeniably mesmerising and super cool to visit for a couple of days, doesn’t really offer…
The Cape Woolamai Circuit – Phillip Island’s Best Day Walk
In all honesty, I’ve always considered Phillip Island a little overrated. It’s busy, overpriced and you can find better wildlife experiences and just as spectacular (if not better?) coastal scenery elsewhere in Victoria, especially at the nearby stunning Wilsons Prom National Park. That being said, there’s definitely one activity that I highly recommend doing on…
8 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Kanazawa in Japan
On the western coast of Japan’s Honshu Island, is Kanazawa, a city embalmed in history and wrapped in natural beauty. Unlike the bright neon lights and skyscrapers that define Japan’s larger cities, Kanazawa’s charm lies elsewhere, where modernity modestly entwines with unique tradition. It’s a side of Japan (and indeed a destination) that often gets…
Matsumoto in Winter: A One-Day Sightseeing Itinerary
Matsumoto in the Nagano prefecture of Japan has the best of both worlds. Located on the cusp of the Japanese Alps, it’s a launching pad to explore the mountains. In the summer, locals and tourists flock to hike and do water sports. In winter, it’s all about skiing and snowboarding. But the city itself is…
A Weekend Walking from Scarborough to Whitby via the Cleveland Way
To kick off 2023 in style and set the tone for the rest of the year, my sister and I wanted to embark on a wholesome outdoor adventure over the long bank holiday weekend. As proud residents of northeast England, something epic to take advantage of and celebrate our beautiful surrounding landscapes was in order. …
A Day Trip to Ilam: the Prettiest Village in Staffordshire
Ilam (pronounced ‘eye-lamb’), in England’s county of Staffordshire, is a picturesque village in the most southerly part of the Peak District National Park. It’s most famous for the incredibly stunning Neo-Gothic Ilam Hall (now a youth hostel owned by the National Trust and managed by the YHA) with its large grounds and parkland, as well…
A Perfect Peak District Weekend Itinerary
I recently moved to West Sheffield on the cusp of the Peak District National Park. It’s only been a few months, but it has superseded my expectations by an absolute mile. With every bit of free time I’ve had, I’ve jammed in exploring this postcard-perfect part of England. In 15 minutes I’m out of the…
The Best Tour Gift Cards & Vouchers
You really can’t put a price on a brilliant experience: watching an impossibly gorgeous sunset from a hot air balloon or exclusive rooftop bar, tasting delicious fresh local delicacies or visiting the bucket list attractions of a place you have only ever dreamed about. Tours really are one of the best ways for anyone, no…
The Best Things To Do in Charming Castleton
Castleton Village in the High Peak district is one of the most admired parts of Derbyshire. The small stone village, surrounded on three sides by some of the area’s most famous hills and landscapes, is often regarded as one of the prettiest villages (and indeed settings) in England’s Peak District. Castleton is an especially popular…
15 Essential Things to Know Before Visiting Fiji
Are you off to the land of private paradise resorts, stunning coral reefs, welcoming locals and sun-soaked white shores? Well, if it’s your first time, then there are just a few things you should know before visiting Fiji. But don’t worry – Fiji is most definitely a country that is geared towards tourism. There’s nothing…
Victoria’s Best Scramble Hike: Sugarloaf Peak via Wells Cave Track
When my sister travelled to Australia to visit me for the first time, I wanted us to do a challenging day hike that would utterly show off the rugged, epic scenery of Victoria. I knew instantly it had to be to Sugarloaf Peak (Barralbarayi) via Wells Cave Track. It’s a stand-out grade 5 day hike…
How To Make More Time for Adventure When You Work
So you want to find a bit more time to squeeze in some outdoor adventures into your life. Well, before you read any further then we have to get down to the hard cold facts – you have to actively make time for adventure otherwise it won’t happen. The fact you’re here is a good…
In review: The Ultra Lightweight Helinox Chair Zero
This week I am sharing a Helinox Chair Zero review. After a difficult slog of a multi-day hike, when your feet throb and your back aches from a heavy pack and sleeping in a tent, I can tell you now, there is nothing more delightful than whipping off the walking boots and putting your feet…
An Awesome 10 Day Yasawa Islands Itinerary
Dotted off the northern coast of Fiji in the South Pacific are 20 volcanic isles, the stunning Yasawa Islands. With dramatic peaks – some grassy, others jungle-clad – and dusty white shores, the Yasawa Islands are the epitome of a Fijian paradise. Island-loving explorers will find that the Yasawa Islands offer everything they could possibly…